July 30, 1807 — to Mrs. Mary Tabb

Mrs. Tabb was one of several women of means who became Methodists in the beginning, such as Mrs. Gough of Perry Hall, Maryland, and Madam Russell, sister of Patrick Henry, who was married twice, first to General William Campbell and then to General William Russell, heroes of the battle of King’s Mountain. The Tabbs lived on one of the old Virginia estates. Asbury is writing her about her religious experience.

LITTLE YORK, PA.

July 30, 1807

[TO MRS. MARY TABB]¹

My dear Sister:

Are you heaven born, and heaven bound? Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and Jesus our Lord. My female correspondents are few except a few of the preachers’ wives that write me with their husbands in the same letter. I have once in a while to address a letter to a poor widow in distress, and once in awhile to her sister, formed of the same clay, redeemed by the same blood, a daughter of the same God; but the lady sister that holds her servants, rides in her coach, possesses her thousands. You have your cares, and fears, and prayers about those around, and nearly connected to you, by conjugal and filial tender ties; if not now, the time may come, you shall know it is not in vain now, if not in time, yet in heaven, you will know it. Only look well to your own ways.

Your table may be spread sumptuously every day, but you need not fare. Mr. Wesley observed that it was brought against the rich man as a charge, and adds that no man can be [saved] and fare richly every day. You can be clear of the great transgression. You have not family prayer, and religious exercises as you wish, yet you can retire often, and pray always. You cannot hear as many sermons, but you read Mr. Wesley’s [book] at any time and other good books. You cannot give and do good, as you wish, but your heart is given up to God, in love and charity. God has been gracious to me when traveling preaching and going upon my hands, knees and crutches with a regular fit of the rheumatism, inflamation in my feet, passing the Lakes² in great pain, patience, and power. Now I am making my way west, and by south to Charleston, possibly another 3000. I cannot say how far I may go west. The continent is waked with the power of God, and persecution follows, the more the world hates us, God will love us.

I am yours in Jesus, a brother, a servant, a friend,

F. ASBURY

P.S. There’s been some [inflammation] in my feet for six weeks but am now able to walk without crutch or staff.

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)